Strengths: Gareth and Sam, all the guides and the chalet hosts go out of their way to make a holiday with them supurb in every way. They will make you feel part of their family. They are as laid back or as eager as you. If you ask they will test your skill and endurance to the limit, or take you on the nicest scenic cruises. the food is excellent and there is homemade cake every day. There are trips away, in both France and over the border. Has any-one mentioned the unlimited wine? been 2 years running, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any-one thinking of going to the Alps.
Weaknesses: erm........nope, can't think of one
Overall: Go.
don't mess about, if you're going to Morzine, do yourself a favour and go with Endlessride.
Strengths: Old school steel, with nice skinny 853 tubes. disc mounts, and corrected to 100mm forks bring it up to date. short stays make for good climbing, and long TT give a comfy ride with a short stem for no loss of steering presicion
I've had mine since the beginning of July, It's built with SRAM XO stuff, and Fox 100 floats. It's great in Wooded singletrack in the Chilterns (where I ride normally) where the steel tubes really do their thing. But trips away to the Peaks and to the Alps proved it was more than capable of takling the larger and rougher stuff. The headtube badge always raises a smile.
Weaknesses: The overspray in the BB shell and the rear mech mount needed cleaning before assembly, and the disc mounts on the seat stay have to be moved in order to get the hose through, which means that the paint cracks. Both these are being addressed by Pastey.
The Stickers are clearly put on locally (rather than at the factory) as they are on top of the paint.
Overall: If the sharp angles of the Cotic scare you, and the Inbred is just too common, then cast a glance over the Pasty, it could be just what you're looking for.
'Probably the best muddy conditions tyre in the shops now'
Strengths: Grip. Says it all really. Even in the plasticence gloop of the ridgeway, off camber, and torn to shreds by 4x4's these tyres did not let go. Climbing was a treat, even on the Singlespeed in the leaf mulch in the Chilterns these tyres gave loads of grip
Weaknesses: Price. At £27.00 each, these are not cheap tyres.
Overall: These tyres are going to stay on the bike all Winter, and probably well into Spring as well. definately a candidate for greatness. When poeple talk about great tyres, like Fire XC Pro, or Conti Verts, these will be up there as well. Got to mark down the value score though, as they are pricey
Strengths: Tough, lots of pockets and comfortable. The shorts are very hard wearing, I've fallen off countless times and there's not a stracth on them. the fit is comfy, although the pad is quite large. The pockets are very handy, and the zip up feature is very useful for money, keys etc
Weaknesses: Um, these are short, I know that sounds daft, but sit on the bike, and the ride up, and look for al the world like hot-pants. The shiny material does nothing to enhance this look either.
Overall: They're not for all day epics, the pad is too large, and gets in the way. For a short blast in the woods they are spot on.
If you want longer shorts and the GE label go for the Supertankers.
Strengths: Cut and quality of material are first class, repeated washes have failed to shrink, stretch or otherwise damage the shirt. Pockets are useful, but what you'd expect on a cycling shirt. Th zip is long, useful for venting, and the collar is high, which is great in colder weather.
Weaknesses: The intercool fabric is great at wicking moisture. Almost too good to be honest, as I found out when I wore this shirt during winter rides. The shirt quickly became wet, not great when you're stopped.
Overall: It's a great shirt when worn on it's own. Not the best if you want an all year round one.
Although, to be fair GE advertise it as a summer shirt.
Strengths: Well made, comfy, warm, and waterproof. Perfect for wintery rides, as part of a layered system. half length zip at the front is well protected and the collar is lightly fleece lined. Pockets at the front mean versatility both on and off the bike, and there is a nicely sized rear pocket. Pit zips mean no overheating worries, and the drawstring at the bottom keeps everything snug. Cuffs are just elasticated enough, and there is a velcro closure, when you really need to keep out the wind.
Weaknesses: Strangly, I was reluctant to get this jacket really wet, as it looks almost too good to be a proper all weather jacket. But an awful trailquest soon got it filthy, and the jacket really impressed. Handwashing only care label is a bit of a faff, but it washed up very well. and dried quickly.
Overall: Like most Altura products, it's very good at a reasonable price, and to quote a cliche, won't look out of place in the pub after the ride.
Strengths: Very lightweight, versatile bike frame. comes standard with Fox Float and 3 inches of travel. extra link, ensures no side loads on the shock. Finish of the frame is outstanding, the welds and paint are faultless. Fitted mine out as classic english XC: Hope on Mavic with XT drivetrain. accelerates like a hardtail, and enables you to climb in higher gears than you thought possible. Decends very well, as the design shifts your weight over the rear tyre when you point the nose downhill. rides easily over technical terrain.
Weaknesses: Cable run is all down one side, which could be an issue if you want to run V brakes. Frame is best suited to 80 mm fork. It's expensive. It's an American style racer/XC machine, which means a low BB, in cranked turns, the inside pedal can hit trial obstacles.
Overall: bought mine as an alternative to the Superlight, as it weighs less, and it's a bit more exclusive. I haven't been dissapointed.
Strengths: These forks are exceptionally smooth and plush, with a little over 4 inches on offer, they make riding over the roughest terrain a bit like cheating. They don't clunk, or chatter, or make squishing noises. They just perform with quiet effeciency. Set the rebound a bit slow, check the air pressure with the supplied pump, and you are good to go. The small bump performance is not bad for an air fork, but medium to large hits is where this fork exceeds your expectations. Adjusting the rebound is simple, just rotate the nicely turned ally adjuster.
Weaknesses: This fork is by no means perfect, The paint on the legs is fragile, and the smallest scrape will have it off. There is some noticable play in the bushings, It feels like your headset is loose. It's a heafty bit of kit for an air fork. and finally, a minor gripe, but that webbing that strenghtens the brace, collects mud like it's going out of fashion. climbing with an active 100 mm fork is not great fun.
Damn, that's a lot of money.
Overall: Is this the Holy grail of Forks? Probably not. It has just enough faults to grumble about. But in terms of performance, it's way above most other forks. These have transformed the way I ride, in terms of line choice, and to some extent my attitude to technical sections. I would definately recommend this fork.
Strengths: These are very well put together units, the light units are made of solid looking aluminium, and have a good quality feel to them. The cables are also very sturdy looking, with solid connectors that go home with a re-assuring 'click' and don't pull out easily. The batteries are simiraily well finished. The kit comes with everything you'd ever need, including extra lengths of cable outer, so that if you strap the batteries directly to the frame, the cables won't be fouled. The batteries can be mounted either on the rack (mounted on the bottle rack bolts) or as I mentioned, directly to the frame. You get all the velcro you could ever need to enable you to do this securely. The lights themselves are more than adequate, the 10w is OK for all but the most technical stuff, and the 20w spot is bright and white, more than enough for the tricky bits.
Weaknesses: Batteries are quite heavy, in comparison to the lumicycle version. Because of the remote handle bar switch, your bars can get crowded. I have a computor as well, and i struggle to get it all on. The remote switch will only mount on one side (the right) comfortably, so a bit of a let down if you are left handed.
Overall: I was going to get lumicycles finest, but to be honest, i've saved myself about £40.00 (ordered through cyclexpress for £145.00) and got myself some lights that in my opinion, are better finished, and of equal power. If you are looking for a decent set of off-road lights then these are well worth consideration.
Strengths: Stiff, good travel for XC use, endlessly adjustable. Seals seem ok. Clear markings for adjusting the rebound damping.
Weaknesses: Only the usual RS worries, Are the seals good enough? Will the paint last? Up till now they seem fine. Worked very well straight away, no scition etc. Only been riding them since May, so long term may come later.
Overall: Give the legs a quick go with Teflon spray and you're good to go. These seem real easy to live with, clean em, set the internal pressure. Nothing to it.
They ride like a set of stiff 80mm forks. Surprised myself by following a full suss rider with fox forks over a largish set of roots and lost no ground on him. To borrow an advert "they do what it says on the tin"
